The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-22
VIEWS ON CHRISTIAN UNITY
Reply Of the Disciples of Christ to the
Protestant Episcopalian Letter.
They Believe Restoration of Unity Demands
Return to New Testament Teachings
Close Of the Missionary Convention.

that came before the society the reply
to the mmuuication of the Protestant Episco-
pal Church on the subject of Christian unity.
When the communication was received q COM
mittee. consisting of Dr. Isaac Errett j. W.
Garves, D. r. DUNCAN, j. 81. Garrison, B. j.
Radford and c. L. Loos, was appointed to pre-
pare report and reply. The report was very
voluminous. It's substance is embodied in the
following extract:
'You may infer with what interest and ad-
miration we regard the declaration of the House
of Bishops when we state that, in SO far as our
religious movement is distinctive. its original
differentiation from all other religious move-
meDts of the time was the contemplation of the
sect spirit and of sectarian organizations as IN
scriptura sinful and fruitful in unbelief, and
the advocacy of return to the unity, catholic.
ity. simplicity and spirituality of the faith and
practice of the churches of apostolic tmes-a
return. in other words. to New Testament teach
ing. The development of these church
es has grown till now its communicates mum Der.
in the United States. about 500 OOO and to day
there sounds from them all the
condemnation of sectarian parties sectarl-
an creeds sectariau names, sectarian aims.
and the same entrsaty for the return OF all be-
levers to the unity of faith and eatholicty of
spirit taught fostered and defended by the apos-
ties of Jesus Christ. We therefore hail with
gladDess the declaration of your desire and
readiness to enter into brotherly conference
with all any Christian bodies seeking the
restoration of the organic unity OF the church.
tions under which priceless blessing ght
happily be brought to pass. We most
heartily approve the proposal for 'brotherly con-
ference and are especially glad that this over
ture comes from the eminentiy conservative
Protestant Episcopal Church.
Passing to what we deem essential to Chris
tian unity we heartily concur in your statement
of the first essential the recognition of the Holy
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments
the revealed word of God The Holy
Scriptures the only Catholic rules of faith
OlSclDllD6 On other platform
scattered hosts of spiritual Israel be restored
unity. The Historic Epscopate,' or the pripci-
pies of unity exsmplifisd by the undivided Cath
olc Churh during she first ages of its existence,
will not be accepted by the various divided
branches of Chrstendom' as essential to Chris
tian unity, as binding on the conscience
Nothing less authoritative than a thus saith the
Lord, will be universally recognized essential
to unity or as binding on the conscience.
What we have said of the testimony of the
early Christian centuries may also be SAID
of what is styled the Apostles Greed, the
Nicene Creed. and all other human
creeds. Nothing less authoritative than Gods
word should be regarded incapable of corr
promise surrender. The restoration Of unity
demands return to New Testament teachings.
We NAV not presume to improve the ideas
Of unity and cathoiicity taught by inspiration.
We ought to improve on the practice of the
apostolic churches, being made wiser by their
errors and by the apostolic rebukes which those
spiritual unity we must be guided solely by the
teaching of Jesus the Christ and His apostles.
river
of water of life. before it was
contaminated by the muddy streams
OF human doctrine aHd tradition,
we end ~ That the original inspired creed had
Son of the living Cod (2.) That ali
who confessed this faith in the Lord Jesus were
sion in water in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit Those who ac-
cepted Jesus and were thus immersed WERE in
the apostolic age. members of the church of
at wi "A th1S adj a6 In
the church were continued ia fellowship SO long
as they walked in the compartments of
the Ola and New Testamenss ''I as the
revealed word OF God is catholic.
This can not be said Of any creed of human
compilation. Faith in Jesus as the Christ the
Son Of God. is catholic. Immersion of believers
in the name Of the Father. Son and Holy Spirit.
is catholic. No one disputes that the believer is
a proper subject of baptism, while there is Sc
rious and widespread controversy over the adj
mission of infants to that ordinance. All adInt
that the immersion of a proper subject
is valid baptism. while there is endless
Disciples OF Christ, Christians. churches
of Christ-these catholic.
Episcopaiian, Presbyterian. Baptist. Methodist,
are party names which can never be universally
approved Outside of that which is essential
there are many things pertaining to growth, to
methods, etc.. in reference to which, for the
sake of peace, there should be common agree
ment. There should be the largest liberty of
opinion, of investigation and of utterance OF all
arising out OF the study OF the Scrip
lures, and none who holds to Jesus as God man
ifest in the flesh, who keeps the commandments,
should be disturbed provided he does not make
an acceptance of them test of fellowship.
In all questions as to what is sxpedient
Christians should learn to please each other"
The report of the committee was received with
marked ap prevail and was adopted by unani-
nous rising vote.
The annual report OF the general agent for the
extension fund, Rev. F. NJ. Rains. was next pre-
sented. Il showed a favorable condition of this
work. The raising of permanent endowment
loan fund of 500, 600 was urged on the society,
and subscriptions to the extent of So, 500 were
received.
The committee on nominations reported the
following officers:
President-J. H Garrison, Missouri
First Vice-president-N s. Hanes. Illinois.
Second Vicepresident-W. F. Richardson. Mich
Third vice.president-o. G. Hertzog. New York.
Corresponding Secretary1R Moffett, Ohio
Assistants-W. F. Cowden. Pennsylvania; J. G. B.
Stivers, West Virginia.
T-easurer-V. A Pinckard.
Acting Board of Maqagers-R. NJ: Bishop. w. Fl.
Lake j. NJ Rifle. B. W. WATSON. Paris G. Brown, J.
A. S. Ludlow. S. G. Boyd, b. c. Deweese.
The report was adopted and the persons
named were elected TO the respective Offices.
They will DE installed next year. excepting the
recording secretary. who took his Office yester-
day afternoon on account OF the departure of
his predecessor.
Resolutions adopted indorsing the work
of the London Peace Society, expressing hearty
sympathy in all forms of the temperance work,
returning thanks for ENTERTAINMENT press
courteses, of the New Denison parlors. and
railroad privileges.
After hearing the obituary report the society
adjourned for the morning.
The afternoon session was opened by devo-
tional exercises conducted by Rev. @. Q. Smith,
of Milwaukee.
The committee on colored missions reported a
method of founding schools by purchasing plan
tations in connection with the school buildings
and making the schools self supporting.
Rev. B. f. Clay addressed the society the
value of tract distribution, and collection of
$40 So was taken to aid in that work
The committee on new missions reported in
favor of greater work in the Western States and
Territories and also in favor of building
church at Ann Harbor, Mich. proposed by
the board. The report was adopted.